Defense

Blackhorse troopers march 38 miles to honor Barstow veterans

Soldiers, of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, or ACR, walk on Fort Irwin Road to Barstow during the 11th ACR Long Walk, Dec. 14, 2015.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, or ACR, at Fort Irwin, Calif., hosted its 19th Annual Regimental Long Walk, Dec. 14 – 15.
The Regimental Long Walk is a two-day, 38-mile foot march from Fort Irwin to the Veterans Home of California in Barstow to honor local veterans.
Approximately 400 soldiers, Family members, and community residents of Fort Irwin assembled at sunrise and marched nearly 30 miles in unforgiving high winds to an overnight cantonment area. Early the next morning, participants continued marching to the Barstow train depot, where they joined the Regimental Horse Mounted Color Guard.

Four ceremonial riders and regiment command teams led the formation, proudly marching in cadence to the veterans home. Several city residents, students, and downtown shoppers gathered street-side to cheer for the Soldiers while dozens of observers parked their vehicles to snap photos.
The first Regimental Long Walk was held in 1997 to commemorate the opening of the veterans home. The event sanctioned active-duty service members from the National Training Center and Fort Irwin to give local veterans a widely-deserving, heartfelt public appreciation. Each year thereafter, the 11th ACR continued the rigorous march as a token of appreciation to Veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our country.
Col. Kevin L. Jacobi, 11th ACR commanding officer, said the long walk is a small way of saying thank you to Veterans for their service.
“For 19 years we have made this march,” Jacobi said. “This year, we had twice as many participants. It is wonderful to see the spirit of patriotism growing within our community.”

Army photograph

Troopers, of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, walk on Main Street on the way to the Veterans Home of California in Barstow, Calif., to honor local veterans, Dec. 15, 2015.

Once the regiment was given the mark-time command at the veterans home, the Soldiers and residents of the facility assembled for a ceremony in a dining hall. During the ceremony, Jacobi addressed the residents by saying, “today, we want to say thank you and tell you that the sacrifices made coming before us are secured. The Soldiers want to comfort you and tell you that the gates of freedom are secured because it’s their watch. The men and women in today’s military will not let you down.”
The veterans and soldiers spent the remainder of the afternoon sharing snacks, stories, and presentations. Both said they look forward to the annual walk because it enables them to form bonds with each other swapping war stories.
After 19 years, the Regimental Long Walk has become a tradition that residents of the veterans home would like to see continue in the years to come.

Army photograph

Soldiers and Family members spend time with veterans, who reside at the Veterans Home of California in Barstow, Calif., Dec. 15, 2015.

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